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Oxygen-Permeable Membranes team

Oxygen transport membranes (OTM) provide an energy efficient way to separate oxygen from air at elevated temperatures, i.e. 500 – 900 °C. OTM materials are ceramics showing mixed ionic electronic conductivity (MIEC). This process does not consume any energy making it very efficient. However, certain temperature above 500 °C is necessary to make the ion diffusion fast enough. The selection of a suitable material is highly depending on the targeted application defining operation conditions particularly temperature, pressure, and atmospheres. Optimized membranes should be as thin as possible, requiring a mechanically stable support with sufficient porosity in order to enable oxygen feed to the thin membrane layer. Ideally, fine porous surface activation layers at both sides of the membrane facilitate oxygen surface exchange. The material of choice for developing high-performance materials was BSCF. The next step will be a proof of concept for these components. Another priority is the improvement of membrane stability while retaining the desired functional properties. Asymmetric BSCF or LSCF membranes are investigated with external partners to find out whether they are suitable for intensifying chemical processes, for example to efficiently provide oxygen for catalytic conversions, such as converting methane to hydrocarbons. These activities are consistently being expanded with external partners.